Suicide and the Afterlife

Abstract

This chapter reviews the afterlife literature on suicide. It examines reports from ‘the Other Side’ of suicide by studying the ‘afterlife narratives’ provided by those who have attempted as well as completed suicide, as reported by experts, loved ones, mediums, and other authors in the therapeutic afterlife genre. The primary data is drawn from four main types of empirical narratives within the context of life after death: suicide attempt survivors’ accounts of their disembodiment, resuscitation, or near-death experiences; accounts provided by mediums; accounts provided by entity release and hypnotherapy experts; and reports published by loved ones in their afterlife communications with those who have died by suicide. The chapter discusses views on suicide, including reactions, consequences, impact, and reception reported in the suicide literature. It summarizes the ways in which the afterlife experience of suicide is represented in the therapeutic afterlife genre by highlighting the main themes, warnings, and teachings offered therein. It considers the overall messages about the spiritual effects and causes of suicide, explanations for the suicidal struggle, and the therapeutic value and lessons provided by this specialized afterlife suicidology literature.